Can-filling apparatus



April 1953 F. R. DAVIS cm FILLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 19, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

F-RANK R.DAV|$ fl/ Maw ATTORNEYS FIG.5.

April 7, 1953 F. R. DAVIS CAN FILLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 19, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

FRANK R.DAV|S ATTORNEYS FIIG'JI.

P 1953 F. R. DAVIS 2,634,035

CAN FILLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 19, 1951 a Sheets-Sheet :5

Fl G.IO'.

INVENTOR.

FRANK R.DAV|S Wm 225529 Y ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 7, 1 953 CAN-FILLING APPARATUS Frank R. Davis, Birmingham, Mich. ,;.assig nor to The Armstrong Company, Detroit, M1ch., a

corporation of Michigan Application February 19, 1951, Serial No. 2115634 26 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to can filling apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus designed especially for filling cans or other suitable receptacles with a material which is a cohesive plastic and which may to some extent tend to adhere to surfaces in which it is in contact.

It is an object of the present invention to provide automatic apparatus for feeding measured quantities of cohesive plastic material into a can or other receptacle, cleanly severing the material in the can from the mass of material, and moving the filled can away from the filling station to permit advance of a succeeding can to such station.

' It is a further object of thepresent invention to provide means for severing a measured quantity of cohesive plastic material from a mass which includes a nozzle having a circular discharge lip and a cutting blade or ring having an internal arcuate surface of substantially 180 degrees movable in an arcuate path to wipe completely across the lip of the nozzle.

It is afurther object of the present invention to provide can filling apparatus comprising means for advancing an empty can upwardly over the lower end of a discharge nozzle to position the bottom of the can adjacent the nozzle, and means for feeding cohesive plastic material through the nozzle to fill the can and thus to force the same downwardly with respect to the nozzle, means operable upon predetermined downward .movement of, the can to arrest feeding movement of the material, to sever the material in the can from the bulk mass of the material, and to move the can away from. the nozzle to permit advance of a second can to position to receive the material.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide can filling apparatus comprising a depending nozzle terminating in a circular discharge lip, a pivoted support adjacent the nozzle mounted for rocking movement about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle, a carrier movabletoward and away from said support, a cutoff ring on said carrier, a can clamp on said carrier, means for moving said carrier downwardly to bring said cutoff ring into contact with the open top of a filled receptacle and to bring the clamp into position to engage the can, means for swinging saidsupport in an arcuate path to move said can away from said nozzle and to cause said cutoff ring to wipe completely across the circular lip on the nozzle. 7

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds,

especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the major elements of the can filling apparatus.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the cutoff plate or ring.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the cutoff plate or ring.

Figure 4 is .asection'on the line 44, Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5, Figure 2.

Figures 6,, '7', 8,, and 9 are somewhat diagrammatic elevational views illustrating successive stages in the operation of the apparatus.

Figure 10 is a combined partially diagrammatic elevational view of the can filling apparatus including. a disclosure of suitableelectric andpneumatic controls and actuators therefor.

Figure 11 is a partly diagrammatic sectional view on the line ll-H, Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 1, the can filling apparatus includes or is associated with a discharge conduit Hl having a downwardly extending nozzle l2 which terminates in a circular lip M. It will be appreciated that the circular lip I4 is constituted by the lower edge of the tubular nozzle I2.

Rigidly associated with the'oonduit I0 is a pivot connection l6 and mounted for rocking movement on the pivot connection 16 is a support [8. -The axis of the pivot connection IS in the arrangement illustrated extends horizontally and is perpend'icular to the axis of the depending nozzle portion l2. Mounted on the pivoted supportl 8 is a cylinder 20 which contains a suitable piston (not shown) connected to a piston rod 22 which extends completely through the cylinder and has an upper portion, 24 carrying a rigid plate 26:

Suitably secured .to the lower end of the piston rod 22 is a carrier 28 which is movable toward and away from the cylinder 20 upon movement of the piston therein. The carrier 28 is connected to the cylinder,.2.lliby interconnecting links 30.

Secured to the underside of the carrier 28 is a cutoff plate or ring. 32 which is shown in detail in Figures 2-5. As illustrated, the cutoff plate or ring is, in the present embodiment, generally in the form of a ring and will be so referred to herein. However, the outer shape of the cutoff member is not critical and it will be appreciated that it might be provided in a .form other than annular. 32 is provided with a relatively large circular opening '34 rtherethrough, the size of this opening being sufficient to permit the ring to be moved upwardly over the depending nozzle portion 12. The cutoff ring is provided with a slot 36 extending into the opening 34 from one side therelel surfaces 38 which extend tangentially with As seen in Figures 2-5, the cutoff ring respect to the opening 34. The bottom 40 of the slot is parallel to the plane of the ring, as best seen in Fig. 5. Partially surrounding the opening 34 at the underside of the ring 32 is a depending arcuate flange 42 which is eccentrically located with respect to the opening 34 and which terminates at end portions 44 leaving a gap therebetween, best illustrated at 4B in Figure 4. The outer wall 48 of the flange 42, as best seen in Figure 5, is of cylindrical form while the inner wall 50, as best seen in Figure 5, is of conical formation.

The interconnection between the fiat surface 40 which forms the bottom of the slot 36 with the inner cylindrical surface of the opening 34 provides a semi-circular or arcuate cutting or wiping edge which in use wipes completely across the bottom surface of the circular lip I4 at the lower end of the nozzle I2. Moreover, the incompletely circular depending flange 48 extends into the open top of a can or receptacle indicated at R and thus locates the can eccentrically with respect to the axis of the nozzle I2, as best illustrated in Figure 1.

The operating structure includes a pair of clamp arms 52 having clamping surfaces 54 adapted to engage opposite sides of the can R so that as the carrier 28 and support I8 are swung about the pivot axis It, the can is retained against the underside of the cutoff ring 32.

Power means are provided for swinging the support I 8 about its pivot axis I6 and includes an air cylinder 56 having a piston therein connected to a piston rod 58 pivoted to the support I8 by a pivot connection indicated at 60. The piston 56 is supported for rocking movement about a pivot support 62. Rocking movement of the support I8 in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Figure l, is limited by a rigid abutment 64 which is engaged by a projecting stop finger 66 carried by the support I8.

Mounted on the support I8 is a movable stop arm I having a stop shoulder I2 thereon adapted to be engaged by the rigid plate 26 during one phase of the operation as will subsequently be described. The arm is pivoted to the support by pivot means indicated generally at 14 and includes a spring (not shown) urging arm I0 in counterclockwise direction as seen in Figure 1. Also mounted in fixed relation to the pivot support I 8 is an abutment I6 adapted to engage the pivoted arm I0 at a certain stage of swinging movement of the support I8 so as to release the shoulder I2 from beneath the plate 28 to permit continued movement of the piston rod 22. A third stop I8 is provided adapted to limit clockwise rotation of the support I8 about its pivot axis IS, the support I8 being shown in abutting relation to the stop I8 in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 11 the clamp meansis illustrated in some detail. Clamp arms 52 carrying clamping plates 54 are independently pivoted for rockin movement about vertical pivot supports 80 and are provided with springs 82 urging the clamping plates54 apart. The clamp arms 52 include inwardly extending portions 84 associated with a wedge-like cam 86 connected to a piston rod 88 extending from an air cylinder 9! carried by a support 92 extending downwardly from the carrier 28. Obviously, when air. is admitted to the cylinder 90 moving the cam 86 to the right, as seen in Figure 11, clamping plates 54 are pressed inwardly against opposite sides of the can or other receptacle R. When air pressure is released the spring means 82 causes 4 the plates 54 to separate, thus releasing the can R.

Associated with the operating part of the structure so far described is mechanism illustrated in Figure 10 which comprises a vertically movable table I00 carried by a vertically extending rod I02 mounted in guides I04 and I06. Vertical movement is imparted to the table I00 by an air cylinder I08 having a piston therein connected to a piston rod IIO extending to a transversely extending arm H2 which is keyed or otherwise suitablysecured to the vertical rod I02. Thus, movement of the piston within the cylinder I08 moves the arm H2 and the table I00 vertically in unison. The table I00 has associated therewith an air cylinder II4 which contains a piston connected to a piston rod II6 terminating in a pusher element II8 adapted to move cans along a stationary support surface I20 onto the vertically movable table I00.

In use a cohesive plastic material is fed through the conduit I0 and nozzle I2 by suitable means. Conveniently, this is accomplished by a conventional screw feed device for forcing the plastic material through the conduit and the screw feed device is indicated diagrammatically in Figure 10 at I I2. In Figure 6 the structure is illustrated in the position which it assumes just prior to the filling operation on a can B. This condition is brought about by the presence of air pressure at the lower end of cylinder 20, at the lower left hand end of cylinder 56, and at the right end of cylinder H4. Pressure is cut off from clamping cylinder 90 and accordingly, the clamping plates 54 are in separated position. Placement of a can R on the table IIIII closes a switch I24. Atthis time air operated switch I28 is held closed by air pressure in line I28 which connects to the bottom of the cylinder 20. Switch I3!) is at this time closed by an arm I32 extending from the piston rod or ram I I 6 of the can advancing mechanism. A circuit at this time is completed through switches I24, I 26, and I 30, thus energizing solenoid I34 which shifts the double acting air valve I38 to admit air pressure from a supply line I33 to the lower end of cylinder I03 through conduit I40, a regulator I42, and a relief valve I44. Air is vented from the top of cylinder Iiic through line I 46 which is in turn vented to atmos phere at the two-way air valve I36.

Operation of cylinder I I18 results in upward movement of the table I with an empty can thereon to the filling position, as illustrated in Figure '7. The pressure regulator M2 is connected to the mechanism operated by cylinder I08 through an adjustable linkage indicated generally at I50. The action of this linkage, details of which form no part of the present invention, is to vary the pressure maintained by the regulater to compensate for the increase in weight of the receptacle as it is filled. It also provides sufficient resistance to the downward motion of the receptacle as it is filled to cause the material entering the can through the nozzle I2 to be spread laterally to fill the receptacle completely from the bottom up.

Initial upward movement of the table ltd trips a switch I52 which is actuated by a pawl I54 pivotally supported on the arm H2. The pawl I5 5 is in position to engage the lower projection I55 on a rocker arm I50 carrying a second projection I5! at its upper end. Closure of the switch I52 energizes a relay I58, actuating starting switch I60 which energizes the motor of the means tZLfor feeding plastic. material through the conduit :Iflandznozzle I2. I

Operation of this motor forces the plastic material through the nozzle I2 into the can, thus forcingthe can downwardly by a combination of increased weight of material therein and the actual application of mechanical force due to the force feeding of the plastic material until the pawl H52 engages the upper projection I 51 on the rocker arm $55 and opens switch I52, thereby de-energizing solenoid I58 and opening motor switch I66, thereby arresting feeding action of the plastic material.

The pressure regulator M2 is so adjusted and changed in setting by the linkage that the pressure in the lower end of the cylinder tilt is increased to give the proper upward thrust to the can to insure spreading of the material as it enters the receptacle.

The next phase of operation of the mechanism is best understood by referring to Figure 10 since it results .in movement of the parts to the position illustrated therein. Downward movement of the table iilfl causes the pawl its carried by the arm I I2 to. close a switch I 56 which takes place during continued downward movement of the table we, and at the same time as pawl it? opens switch I52 to stop the feed motor. Closure of switch I66 energizes asolenoid its which shifts to operate a two-way air switch I'lfi to admit air pressure from a supply line I12 through line lie to the top of the air cylinder 2!! and simultaneously vents the lower end of the cylinder through return line I16. At the same time switch I26 opens since air pressure in the line I28 falls. This tie-energizes the circuit .to the solenoid I35. Admission of air under pressure to the top of cylinder 20 results in downward movement of the piston therein until it is stopped in cutoff position by engagement between the abutment I2 and the stop plate 25. This accurately positions the cutoff ring 32 so that its arcuate wiping surface is substantially in alignment with the lower edge of the lip I4 of the nozzle 42.

At the same time as the stop plate 2% comes into contact with the stop l2, it also closes a switch I89. The actuator I32 for the switch I83 is of known type such that it closes the switch E80 only upon downward movement of the plate 26 relative to the cylinder 253. Closure of the switch 583 energizes a solneoid ltd which operates air valve Iilt to admit air from a supply line I88 to the clamping cylinder 9!}. The valve its is provided with a return spring see so that when solenoid I84 is de-energized, valve ltd is closed. Admission of air to the clamping cylinder 9i causes the clamping plates 54 to be pressed firmly against the sides of the can or receptacle B, and thereby retains it in assembled position. The clamp continues to be actuated so long as solenoid I8 5 is energized which means that the clamp remains closed as long asthe stop plate 26 remains on the abutment '12 on the movable stop arm 7!].

As air pressure builds up in clamping cylinder 59 after the clamp is tightly closed, the pressure also builds up in airline E92 thereby closing air pressure switch I94. Closure of air pressure switch I94 energizes solenoid iiiii to reverse the position of the two-way air valve its. v At the same time pressure builds up in air line 598 and closes an air pressure switch 298 thereby energizing solenoid 292 to actuate a two-way air valve 204 which controls admission of exhaust of air from a supply line 206 through lines 2&3 and 2 I0 to the left and righthand endswof cylinder 56 respectively. Air pressure Switches 200 and I94 are so related that switch I94 closes before switch 29s as pressure builds up in lines I92 and I98.

The closing of switch I94 first energizes solenoid I96 which shifts valve I 36 to admit air under pressure to the top of cylinder I08 thereby moving table I00 downwardly. At this time the can is firmly clamped and is held in assembled relation against the underside ofcutoif ring 32 while the table moves downwardly in position to receive an empty can. It will be recalled that switch I25 had previously opened, thereby breaking thecircult through switches I24, I26, and I30, and deenergizing solenoid I34.

Closure of pressure switch 200 energizes solenoid 202 to shift the two-position air valve 264 to position to admit air under pressure to the right hand or upper end of cylinder 55. This results in swinging movement of the support I8 about its pivot axis I5 and institutes a cutoff operation, the cutoff ring 32 wiping across the bottom of the lip of the'discharge nozzle and the clamp carrying the filled can with the cutoff plate or ring 32 during this operation.

During the swinging movement of the support I 8, which is a relatively rapid swinging movement, the arm ll) contacts fixed abutment 16 thus swinging the stop l2. out from beneath the stop plate 26. At this time air is still being admitted to the upper end of the cylinder 20 and accordingly the piston moves downwardly in the cylinder accompanied by a further motion of the carrier 28. Prior to release of the stop plate 28 the can and cutoff ring are moving in an arcuate path. However, when stop plate 26 is released an additional component of. motion is introduced which is radially outwardly with respect to the fixed pivot axis It. This component of motion is important since it in effect throws the can away from the assembled structure as it is released by the clamps. It is found in practice that by properly timing this additional component of motion, the can may be thrown with the required velocity so as to slide across a properly positioned supporting surface. Initial downward movement of the plate -26 from the position illustrated in Figure 8 results in opening the switch I 30 which dc-energizes solenoid Hi l and cuts ofi air supply to the clamping cylinder 90, at the same time venting air line M2 to atmosphere through the valve 586. Thereversing valve I86 as previously noted, is spring controlled and shifts to the second position instantly upon deenergization of solenoid I84. This releases the clamp and trees the can. Thus the can is released from the clamp at precisely the instant when theradial component-of motion is added to its .arcuate swinging motion. Swinging movement of the support i8 is abruptly terminated by engagement between thestop finger it thereon and the stationary abutment 64. The can is thus thrown clear by a combination of the abrupt arrest of swinging motion of its carrier and the abrupt termination of the radial component of motion.

A switch 2M is provided in position tobe engaged by the stop finger 66 as the support it reaches its limit of swinging movement. Closure of switch 2M; reverses 'a solenoid 2 I 6 which shifts air valve 2% toits other position, thereby reversing the supply of air to the cylinder 56 and initiating return swinging movement of the support I'8.

. Mounted on thesupport :IB a switch ilt'fi ineluding a portion engageable by stop plate 26 when it moves to its extreme downward position. The switch 2I6 is connected to a solenoid 2I8 adapted to reverse air valve I10. However, the circuit to the solenoid 2 I8 is adapted to be closed when the support I8 is brought back to its initial operating position, as shown in Figure 6. The pressure switch 222 is operated by a line 224 connected to the air line 2I0 which leads air under pressure to the lower end of the cylinder 56 to return the support I8 to loading position.

When the assembly, including the support I8, swings back to position against the mechanical stop E8 the switch 220 is closed. Air pressure now builds up in line 2I0, thus transmitting pressure to the pressure switch 222 closing the same. Switch 2| 6 had previously been closed during downward movement of the stop plate 26. A circuit is therefore now complete through solenoid 2I8, thus shifting valve I10 to admit air to the lower end of the cylinder through line I'IB, thereby raising carrier 28 to the position shown in Figure 6. As the iston in the cylinder 20 starts upwardly the switch 2I6 is opened, thus opening the circuit through solenoid 2I8. The piston continues to travel upwardly however because air valve I10 remains in its last set position until reversed by energization of the solenoid I68. The building up of pressure in the lower end of the cylinder 20 after the piston has reached the upper end of its travel, will operate switch I 26 thus initiating a second cycle.

During the movement of the support I8 in the cutoff cycle and return, the table I09 and associated parts have moved downwardly. As the table approaches its lowermost position pawl I 64 passes over switch 230 briefly completing a circuit through solenoid 232, thus shifting air valve 234 in a direction to admit air from a supply line 236 through line 238 to the left hand end of cylinder I I4. It will be appreciated that the pusher element I I8 and associated structure has a conventional can feeding system associated therewith which brings cans sequentially into position in front of the pusher element II8 to be advanced thereby onto the table I00. Therefore, as air is admitted to the left hand end of the cylinder I I4 the pusher element II8 moves to the right and advances an empty can onto the table I00. When the pusher element reaches the end of its delivery stroke arm I32 closes a switch 246, thus completing a circuit to relay 242 reversing air control switch 234, admitting air to the right hand end of cylinder I I4, and exhausting air from the left end, thus returning pusher element II8 to the left as seen in Figure 10. Movement of the pusher element II8 to the left results in closure of switch I30 by arm I32. This takes place during the cutoff cycle and thus switches I24 and I30 are closed prior to closure of switch I26 by the building up of air pressure in line I28. As a result, closure of switch I26 at the end of the cutoff cycle completes a circuit through relay I34, thus initiating another cycle of the system.

Briefly reviewed, with reference to Figures 6, '7, l, 8, and 9, the mechanical movements of the parts are illustrated sequentially. In Figure 6 the can or receptacle R is shown on the table I06 directly beneath the nozzle I2. The cutoff ring 32 and clamp 54 are elevated in surrounding or partly surrounding relation to the depending nozzle.

The operation next comprises vertical movement of the can R to the position shown in Figure 7, at which time the bottom of the can engages the material being fed out of the lower end of the nozzle I2. At this time the feeding mechanism is in operation and the cohesive plastic material is being forced out of the nozzle into the can. Predetermined resistance to downward motion of the can causes the plastic material to spread out and thus to completely fill the can from the bottom upwardly as the can is forced downwardly. The cutoff ring 32 and clamping plates 54 remain in elevated position.

Eventually, when the can has been forced downwardly a predetermined distance corresponding to deposit of a predetermined quantity of plastic material therein, the operation of the feeding mechanism is stopped and carrier 28 is moved downwardly to a predetermined definite position as illustrated in Figure 1, in which the cutoff ring 32 is in proper position relative to the lip I4 at the lower end of the nozzle I2 to perform the cutoff operation. The clamping plates 54 are actuated to grip the can.

The table I00 moves downwardly and the support It swings in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Figure 8, thus causing the cutoff ring 32 to wipe completely across the depending lip I4 of the nozzle I2 and carrying the can with it in its arcuate movement in the clamps 54. In Figure 8 the apparatus is illustrated in the position it occupies when the movable stop arm 10 engages the fixed abutment It. Thereafter, further swinging movement releases abutment I2 from beneath stop plate 26 permitting abrupt movement of the carrier 28 away from the support I8. Almost immediately thereafter stop finger 66 engages the rigid abutment :54 thus terminating swinging movement of the support I8. Release of the clamps 54 permits the filled can or receptacle R to continue its last motion and to be positively separated from the supporting structure including the depending flange 42 of the cutoff ring, which had up to the moment of operation extended inwardly of the can. The fact that the depending flange 42 is not completely circular facilitates separation of the can from the ring 32 and permits it to be deposited on a receiving surface along which it will slide a substantial distance to clear the machine due to its initial impetus.

While in Figure 10 there has been illustrated a complete system including electrical and pneumatic controls, it will be appreciated that essentially the machine is characterized by the mechanical motion of the parts and that these motions may be controlled by any suitable arrangement of electrical, pneumatic or mechanical controls. However, the particular system illustrated in Figure 10 is advantageous in that it prevents inception of any sequence of operation prior to completion of the preceding sequence thereof. It thus provides safety features in the operation of the machine. Moreover, it will be apparent that the machine will operate in a fully automatic manner so long as additional empty cans are sequentially advanced Onto the support I20 in position to be engaged by the pusher element IIS and so long as adequate space is provided for reception of filled and discharged cans.

It will be appreciated that Figure 10 is diagrammatic and that switch actuators are employed of the type designed to operate a switch in one direction of movement therepast, movement in the opposite direction being accompanied by swinging of the actuator out of operative relation.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the improved can filling apparatus in 2 .1 .1 cle r. seeds-e and ree r s s to enab e. ny v rses. Ski d n the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended; claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Gan filling apparatus comprising a depending stationary nozzle having a circular lip, a can supporting platform movable vertically beneath said nozzle, a cutoff ring surrounding said nozzle in cam filling position having a circular interior edge of, greater diameter than said lip, a carrier for said ring, means for moving said: carrier parallel to the axis of said nozzle, additional means for swinging said carrier in an arcuate path effective to cause said edge to wipe said lip, can gripping means on said'carrier, means for arresting swinging movement of said carrier s o d n le. n means relea in said gripping means prior to operation of said arresting means.

2. Can filling mechanism for use with a cohesive plastic material comprising a nozzle having acircular discharge lip, means for feeding material through said nozzle, a cutoff ringhavin an interior circular aperture of larger diameter than said circular lip surrounding said nozzle, said aperture including a semi-circular cutoff corner, a support for a can to be filled with material, and means for providing relative swinging movement between said can support and ring as a unit and said circular lip about an axis intersecting the axis of said circular lipand spaced from said ring and lip and parallel to the planes occupied by said ringnand lip when said ring surrounds said nozzle to cause the cutoff corner of said ring to wipe the entire periphery of said lip.

, v3. Can filling apparatus comprising a downwardly depending nozzle having a circular lip, a cutoff ring having an'arcuate edge of larger radius than said lip surrounding said nozzle above said lip during a can filling operation, means for moving said ring downwardly to cutoff position, means for gripping a filled can directly beneath said ring, and means for swinging said can gripping means and ring as a unit in an arcuate path to cause said edge to wipe said lip.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 comprising means for arresting swinging movement of said can gripping means away from said nozzle, and means for releasing said gripping means just prior to completion of said swinging movement.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 comprising means for applying a component of radially outward motion to said swinging motion prior to release of said gripping means.

6. Can filling apparatus comprising a depending nozzle having a circular lip, a support mounted for rocking movement about an axis above and perpendicular to the axis of said nozzle, a carrier on said support movable toward and away therefrom, a cutoff ring on said carrier having an interior arcuate edge movable in wiping relation over said lip, a receptacle clamp on said carrier, and a can supporting table movable vertically beneath said nozzle.

'7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, said ring being movable with said carrier to an upper position surrounding said nozzle to permit a can to be moved up over the lower end of said nozzle,

stop means limiting downward movement of said carrier to a first position locating said ring in wiping position, and means providing for further movement of said carrier in the same direction during swinging of said support.

3. In can filling apparatus a nozzle having a circular lip, a cutoff plate having an enlarged central opening adapted to' receive the'end of said nozzle, an arcuate flange at the underside of said plate shamed to enter the open top of a can to be filled, said opening having an' arcuate edge of g'reaterradius than saidlip movable in wiping relation completely acrosssaid lip.

9 Structure as defined in claim 8, said plate having a straight walled slot extending from one edge thereof with its opposite walls parallel and disposed tangentially to the central opening.

10. Structure as defined in claim 8, said flange being eccentric with respect to said opening and being substantially less than 360 degrees in ex tent and terminating at its ends at said opening.

substantially lesslthanBGO degrees extent positioned tobe received within a can insaid gripping means, means for swingingsaid support rapidly in an arcuate path and arresting its swinging motion abruptly, means for releasing said gripping means prior to completion of said swinging movement, said flange permitting separation of a can from said plate upon such release.

12. Structure as defined in claim 11 and means for imparting an outwardly radial component of motion to said plate and gripping means.

13. In can filling apparatus for filling an open topped can, a cutoff plate having aflat under surface to engage the top of a can, an arcuate flange depending from said plate and disposed to enter said can, an enlarged opening through said plate to receive the end of a filling nozzle, said plate having a slot extending from one side thereof into the central opening, the bottom of said s'lot intersecting the opening to define an arcuate wiping edge.

14. Structure as defined in claim 13, said slot having straight parallel side walls tangentially disposed with respect to the sides of said opening.

15. Structure as defined in claim 13, the side wall of said opening opposite said slot comprising a top surface.

16. Can filling apparatus comprising a depending nozzle terminating in a circular lip, a table movable vertically beneath said nozzle, a cutoff ring and can clamp normally adjacent said nozzle, means for feeding a cohesive plastic through said nozzle, means for raising said table to position a can thereon over the end of said nozzle, means responsive to downward movement of said table as the can is filled with material to actuate said clamp to grip the can, and swing said clamp and ring in an arcuate path causing said ring to wipe completely across said lip.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 comprising means to release said clamp during its swinging movement to throw the filled can.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 comprising means for returning said clamp and ring to position beneath said lip and to elevate said ring over said nozzle.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim it comprising means to advance an empty can onto said table, raise said table and to start said feeding means, and means to arrest said feedin means prior to swinging movement of said ring.

20. Means for severing a quantity of cohesive plastic material from the circular lip of a discharge nozzle comprising a cutoff plate having a substantially semi-circular cutoff edge normally spaced slightly beyond said lip, said edge being of 1 1" larger radius than said lip, and means for relatively swinging said plate and lip in an arcuate path to cause said edge to wipe completely across said lip.

21. Can filling apparatus comprising a vertical filling tube having a downwardly directed discharge end, a can support below the end of said tube, a pivot support mounted adjacent the discharge end of said tube for swinging movement between can filling and can discharging position about an axis perpendicular to and intersecting the axis of said tube, a carrier carried by said pivot support, means mounting said carrier on said pivot support for rectilinear movement toward and away therefrom, the direction of such movement being vertical when said pivot support is in can filling position, a ring on said carrier surrounding said tube when said pivot support is in can filling position, and movable vertically thereon to engage and overlie the top of a can on said can support, a can clamp on said carrier, and means for swinging said pivot support about its pivot axis to remove a filled can from beneath said tube, said pivot support, carrier, can clamp and ring being movable as a unit during initial swinging movement of said pivot support, and latch means operable during swinging movement to release said carrier for movement away from said pivot support prior to completion of swinging movement of said pivot support to can discharging position.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 21 comprising abutment means to arrest swinging movement of said pivot support.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, the interior opening of said ring having an arcuate cutoff corner movable in wiping relation across the discharge end of said tube during swinging of said pivot support from can filling to can discharging position.

- 24. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, said can. support being movable away from said tube during filling, power means for swinging said pivot support, and control means for said power means including means responsive to predetermined movement of said can support to initiate swinging movement of said pivot support from can fillin to can discharging position.

25. Can filling apparatus comprising a vertical filling tube having a downwardly directed discharge end, a can support below said tube, power feed means for feeding cohesive material through said tube into a can on said can support, a cutoff ring overlying the top of a can on said can support, a releasable can clamp, means responsive to completion of filling of a can to arrest operation of said power feed means and to cause said clamp to grip a filled can and to move the filled can and said cutofi' ring laterally from beneath said tube, to release said clamp, and to return said clamp and ring to position to cooperate with another can on said can support.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 25 in which said can support is vertically movable during filling of a can thereon, and the means responsive to completion of filling of a can includes means actuated by predetermined movement of said can FRANK R. DAVIS.

- support.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,147,346 Thompson July 20, 1915 1,433,663 Small Oct. 31, 1922 1,593,189 Mauch July 20, 1926 2,113,081 Doering Apr. 5, 1938 

